WAIMATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19804, 21 May 1934, Page 3

WAIMATE

MOTORING AFFAIRS MEETING OF ASSOCIATION A meeting of the committee of the Waimate Automobile Association was held on Saturday afternoon. Present: Messrs W. Geddes (president), E. J. Meredith, J. Smillie, M. Mcßae, T. B. W. Hamilton, J. Betten, and J. Dempsey. Reporting on the meeting of the subcommittee appointed, Mr Mcßae, said it had inspected a corner at Waihao Downs opposite the blacksmith’s shop, and the position seemed that the only properly effective means of giving a clear view was to remove a macrocarpa hedge. Cutting the hedge would improve matters, but would not completely remove the obstruction to the view. It was resolved that as complaints had been received of an existing danger, the County Council be approached with a view to having matters remedied. The secretary read a report by the sub-committee set up to consider the question of adopting the free road service scheme, stating that it was considered that the service as outlined could not be maintained with the present membership. It was recommended that the radius of service be reduced from 20 miles, to a limit of 10 miles. The president said that on going into the figures it was found that a 20mile service would entail a cost of 25/a member; but a 10-mile service could be run for 15/-. After a short discussion it was agreed to support the committee’s recommendations. The president and Messrs J. Betten, J. I. Hayman. and J. Dempsey were appointed a sub-committee to meet garage proprietors with a view to arranging the installation of the service, and report to next meeting. Mr Meredith reported having interviewed the County engineer in regard to the danger to school children having to pass Barnett’s Corner near Morven, owing to the view being obscured by a gorse hedge. At this spot a danger always existed from motor cars travelling north. In his opinion the time was approaching when all main highway boundaries would have to be wire netted in order to remove the danger of corner views being obscured, as with the extension of bitumen surfaces motor traffic was on the increase. It was agreed to write to the Waii mate County Council supporting Mr Meredith’s application as placed before the engineer. Wireless in Cars. Mr Geddes said that members had probably all seen reports in the newspapers regarding a statement attributed to him at a previous meeting regarding a remit from the Timaru Association asking that wireless installation be prohibited in cars. He maintained that he did not altogether mean to convey that the Timaru remit was “all bosh,” but if the report said he had stated these words he must have said them. Exception was taken at the recent Timaru meeting to the remit having been criticised by his committee, but unless it had been criticised at a meeting they could not give an opinion. When the remit had come before the Conference it had got no further than being seconded pro forma, so the opinion could not have been very far out. On the other hand, it had been stated, by a member of the Timaru committee that Waimate did not intend to adopt the road service scheme. No one had a right to make this statement, as a definite decision had not been arrived at. The whole thing was simply pin pricking. Continuing Mr Geddes said that in an English journal an article had appeared recently where Mr Joyce, one of the greatest authorities on motor vehicles, on his return from a tour of the Continent had stated that wireless removed the boredom of monotonous distance travelling. Mr Geddes concluded by saying that wireless in cars when used with discretion was not dangerous. Messrs Mcßae and Meredith expressed the opinion that, when travelling, a certain danger might exist through a motor driver’s attention being distracted by a broadcast programme. Mr Betten said that this danger was . not so serious as that occasioned by back seat passengers distracting the driver’s attention. The discussion was then allowed to lapse.

WAIHAORUNGA INSTITUTE.

The Waihaorunga Women’s Institute held an extra meeting on May 17. at the home of Mrs Columbe. The president (Mrs Colville) presided. Invitations were received from the Arno and Morven Women’s Institutes to attend their birthday parties. An interesting demonstration was given by Mrs Armstrong “How to Preserve Autumn Leaves,” and was appreciated by all present. A travel talk was given by Mrs Hurst and was listened to with much interest. The specimen bloom competition was won by Mrs Colville, Mrs Burson being second.

The hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames Burson, Columbe, and Cooling.